AYLETH
As the light in the room crept from black, to gray, to pink, and their whispered conversation shifted from whispers, to murmurs, then their natural voices, Ayleth's stomach slowly coated in a layer of dread. She sensed that Etan felt the same way, though he hid it well. She could see the pinch begin at the corner of his eyes—eyes puffy from lack of sleep and… whatever they called the flush of love-making.
They were still curled on the bed, though he had rolled Ayleth over to face him. Her hands remained on his chest, her head resting on the broad warmth of one of his arms. His other arm held her close as he stroked her back and side.
Soon they would need to start moving, get up and dressed and face this terrible day. But neither of them wanted to leave.
